Who are your teachers?

I have a yoga practice and have recently begun to explore the Anusara approach. I am learning many new things that bridge my time on the mat and my time exploring leadership. I’ll be sharing these from time to time, particularly as they relate to leading in the virtual environment. One thing I’ve noticed with Anusara is acknowledgment and respect for one’s teachers. As I understand it at this point, their  approach to the role of teacher is based on the assumption that  we will always be learning as we participate in the dance of life, that teachers will come from many places, and that it is our responsibility and our gift to be able to acknowledge those who teach us and pass on the learning. Entertaining this concept has helped me acknowledge with gratitude the many teachers I have in my life, from all corners of my life: yoga, work, friends and all generations of family.

As I think about  leading effectively in the virtual environment, I see a clear similarity. The teachers in the virtual scenario become the people you connect with through virtual channels: blogs, social networks, podcasts. As you endeavor to lead, what can you learn from  them as they respond to your message? Can you begin to think of those you are trying to reach not as being those you need to “convince”, but as the ones who will teach you about how your message is received and how your vision could become reality?

Taking stock of your current teachers, is an interesting exercise and a great first step. From there, it is a logical next step to think of all the potential teachers out there. All those within your broad virtual reach you have the opportunity to learn from about your vision for the future, if you can accept with honor the merged role of leader and eternal student.

Namaste.